Many arms
A Caribbean reef octopus (Octopus briareus), sighted on a night dive (you don't see them during the day) in a massive rope sponge (more on that below).
They usually disappear into some crack or crevice the moment after they see your dive light. This one was found at the top of a huge rope sponge and stayed visible for some time, allowing me to capture many images. It was hard to decide which one to post!
Here, the octopus is in its iridescent blue. When it hunts it wraps itself around an object, like a blanket or tent, and instantly turns white with brownish-red spots. Its ability to change color, and to do it so quickly, is nothing short of magical.
I think the octopus is clinging to a row pore rope sponge (Aplysina Cauliformis). You can't tell from this image, but this is a a huge specimen, covering something like an area of 4m x 3m and 2-3m high. At night we generally find 20+ trumpetfish tucked in it for their evening protection.
Many arms
A Caribbean reef octopus (Octopus briareus), sighted on a night dive (you don't see them during the day) in a massive rope sponge (more on that below).
They usually disappear into some crack or crevice the moment after they see your dive light. This one was found at the top of a huge rope sponge and stayed visible for some time, allowing me to capture many images. It was hard to decide which one to post!
Here, the octopus is in its iridescent blue. When it hunts it wraps itself around an object, like a blanket or tent, and instantly turns white with brownish-red spots. Its ability to change color, and to do it so quickly, is nothing short of magical.
I think the octopus is clinging to a row pore rope sponge (Aplysina Cauliformis). You can't tell from this image, but this is a a huge specimen, covering something like an area of 4m x 3m and 2-3m high. At night we generally find 20+ trumpetfish tucked in it for their evening protection.